UTA Taps Kessler To Lead New Analytics Division

Joseph Kessler will head up a new division of United Talent Agency as Global Head of UTA IQ, the agency announced Dec. 5.

– UTA
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UTA IQ will analyze third-party data, and leverage its own proprietary tools and predictive analytics to provide information to agents, executives and clients, according to a statement. Kessler will report to UTA Co-President David Kramer and UTA Head of Digital Media Brent Weinstein.

“Over many decades, Joe has successfully operated at the high-stakes intersection of digital disruption, data-driven consumer insights and global brands,” Kramer said in a statement. “He’s done so at a time when the explosion of platforms available to content creators and consumers means we must constantly provide deep, informed insights to our clients and within our own businesses. He’s the perfect executive to take the great work already being done by our existing teams and build a next-generation practice that can support the growing needs and ambitions of our company and our clients.”

“There is no company in the industry with more momentum or a deeper-held commitment to innovation,” said Kessler. “UTA understands that in years to come the most successful entertainment and media companies will be operating very differently than they do today, and that at the heart of that transformation will be the rapid enhancement of data-fueled insights and evidence-based decision making. I’m excited to join the incredibly talented team already in place at UTA, and to work with them to build new capabilities that unlock new business opportunities for the agency and our clients.”

Kessler comes to UTA with a lengthy resume. From 2009-14, he was president of CAA division The Intelligence Group, publisher of the Cassandra Report. When IG was acquired by Engine Group USA, Kessler became CEO president of youth marketing agency Noise, and was later president of Deep Focus, another digital agency. He was also a senior partner at SS+K, a marketing communications agency that served as the youth outreach agency for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.